A survey of fruit growers in Victoria's Goulburn Valley shows 34 per cent will be posting a loss for the third year in a row. Earlier this year, fruit processor SPC Ardmona halved its intake of peaches and pears.

Five hundred jobs have already been lost, and it's now estimated a further 1,500 seasonal jobs will go.

Western Victorian olive yields are down about 50 per cent, but quality is up. A dry growing season, with little spring and summer rain, has meant the berries are about half the normal size.

A farmer from NSW has found a new niche, fermenting garlic. John Pye grows biodynamic garlic Michelago, in the state's south-east. Mr Pye then sells the bulbs for $8 each and says he can't keep up with local demand.